Tightwads Guide for Saving on Macon Auto Insurance

I can't think of a single person who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when the cost is too high. Companies like GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with TV and radio ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

Take advantage of discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. Some trigger automatically at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied prior to getting the savings. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you're paying more than you need to.

  • Military Discounts - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Anti-theft System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Memberships - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
  • No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents pay less when compared to bad drivers.
  • Federal Employees - Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Macon, click this link.

compare Macon auto insurance rates

Finding Auto Insurance Deals in Macon, MO

Finding cheaper auto insurance prices is not a difficult process. Just take the time to compare quotes online from several insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.

  • The best way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This form eliminates the need for repetitive form entry for each company. A single form gets you price quotes direct from many companies.
  • A more difficult way to compare rate quotes requires a trip to the website of each company and request a quote. For example, let's assume you want to compare , and . You would have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Macon, click here.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use exactly the same quote information with every price quote. If you have mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to find the best deal in Macon.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are some of the items that factor into prices.

  • Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Discounts for multiple policies - Some auto insurance companies provide better rates to customers who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Do you have enough liability coverage? - Your policy's liability coverage is the coverage that protects you when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Careers like real estate brokers, executives and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. Other professions such as scientists, historians and retirees pay the least.

How to know if you need help

When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Do I qualify for additional discounts?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Missouri consumers can't get away from ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim that you can save if you change your policy.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will get very good rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.

This emphasizes why drivers must get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

A tidy conclusion

As you shop your coverage around, it's a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured cut full coverage and found out when filing a claim that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Affordable auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Macon insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

Macon auto insurance quote

More information can be read on the website for the Missouri Department of Insurance through this link. Missouri consumers can view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, and read industry bulletins.